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The Issues Podcast

The Issues Podcast
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King James Version

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) – “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Welcome to The Issues Podcast (formerly the Dear Church Podcast). Pastors Martin Wickens and Stephen Russ, along with special guests, get to the heart of the real issues that matter. With a burden to stir your heart and challenge your thinking, they dive into key topics within the Independent, Fundame... more

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes114Founded5 years ago
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Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Issues Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Lindsay Clancy case has sparked intense debate over mental illness, criminal responsibility, postpartum psychosis, and the meaning of justice.

In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Stephen, Martin, and Tom examine the case and wrestle with the ... more

The recent revelations involving Kenny Baldwin have prompted difficult but necessary conversations within the church. In this episode, Stephen Russ, Tom Brennan, and Martin Shipe examine the biblical qualifications for church leadership, discuss how ... more

In this special episode of The Issues Podcast, host Martin Wickens sits down with church planters Marty Montgomery and Josh Levesque during the missions conference at Bedford Bible Church.

Through personal testimonies, practical insights, and honest... more

In this episode of the Issues Podcast, Stephen and Martin unpack what true spiritual leadership looks like from 1 Corinthians 4, addressing why it is often misunderstood in today’s churches and why fewer young men seem willing to step into leadership... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Marty Montgomery
Pastor, Springfield, Illinois church planter
Capitol Baptist Church / Springfield, IL
Episode: Issue #78 – The Need Is Now... Church Planting in the United States
Josh Levesque
Church planting missionary in Dearborn, Michigan
Great Lakes Baptist
Episode: Issue #78 – The Need Is Now... Church Planting in the United States
Joe Shakour
Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina
Tabernacle Baptist Church
Episode: Issue #72 – Truth, Texts, and Transformation: A Conversation with Pastor Joe Shakour
Micah Still
Assistant Pastor at Temple Baptist Church
Temple Baptist Church
Episode: Issue #66 — Young Voices, Lasting Impact: Serving God in Your 20s
Sam Brennan
Guest and question asker
Episode: Issue #63 – ⚡️ Lightning Round ⚡️
Dr. Alton Beal
President of Ambassador Baptist College, Evangelist
Ambassador Baptist College
Episode: Issue #62 – Interview with Evangelist Alton Beal
Dave Knopfsinger
Mentor to one of the hosts
Episode: Issue #40 – The Importance of Fellowship
Jeff Jones
An encourager and influencer among pastors
Episode: Issue #40 – The Importance of Fellowship
Shane Rice
Pastor from Anchor Baptist Church, has experience as a missionary.
Anchor Baptist Church
Episode: Issue #40 – The Importance of Fellowship

Hosts

Stephen Russ
Host in Independent Baptist discussions with a focus on doctrinal and practical church matters
Martin Wickens
Co-host and long-time host, discussions on doctrine and church life within IFB circles
Tom Brennan
Guest who has appeared and contributed to discussions

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 157 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Looking for an independent fundamental Baptist podcast that is godly, Biblical, and doesn’t bash other baptists just because they are part of another “camp” of Independent Baptists, then look no further than the Issues Podcast. If I were to describe in one word what it is like to listen to these three men discuss issues, it would be the word “refreshing.”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joel 1993
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thoughtful presentation

    I appreciate this podcast for its practicality and thoughtfulness. Although it is easy to tell that each pastor does not think exactly like each other, they are still able to talk through issues in a thoughtful way and arrive at sensible conclusions that do not contradict the Bible, but apply it. Also, it is entertaining!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Avidly Listenering
    United States2 years ago
  • Colossians 1:3,4

    To Tom Brennan, Martin Wickens, and Stephen Russ,

    I’ve listened to every episode of The Issues Podcast, and I just want to say thank you. Your discussions have challenged me to think more deeply about my faith and have pushed me to be more intentional in studying the Word of God. You’ve helped me see things from perspectives I hadn’t considered before, not just to hear another point of view but to truly examine everything through Scripture. This podcast has also led me to other valuable resourc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David 6’7”
    Canada2 years ago
  • Wickens fan

    I go to the same church as the Russo brothers and yes, they really do love brother Wickens!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The big Muzungu
    United States2 years ago
  • The King of England

    Brother Russ does not exaggerate. We love Brother Wickens!

    -The Russo brothers

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SRusso04
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Polished, thoughtful discussions that respect differing views within IFB circles.
Concrete, practical ministry takeaways for pastors and church leaders.
Audience appreciates doctrinal clarity and practical leadership insights.
Community-minded and gospel-centered with balanced critique and accountability.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Issue #74 – The King James Conversation Everyone Avoids
Q: What are the significant differences and advantages of the King James Bible?
The King James Bible retains an accuracy informed by textual criticism and exemplifies a deeper linguistic richness than many modern translations.
Issue #74 – The King James Conversation Everyone Avoids
Q: How can we trust the translation process what we've been given?
The King James Version is predominantly formal equivalency, but it does involve some dynamic equivalence to ensure comprehension.
Issue #74 – The King James Conversation Everyone Avoids
Q: How do you view the origin of all of that coming to the point where the King James was translated?
The King James Bible was not the first English translation; it had predecessors and was influenced by a body of manuscripts and earlier translators.
Issue #62 – Interview with Evangelist Alton Beal
Q: You've worked with young people then, either traveling and preaching to young people, or when you were at the school before you were president, and now as leader of the school, you worked with young people for decades. What encourages you about the caliber of young people that are coming into the school or considering the school?
Dr. Beal remarks on the refreshing zeal and seriousness in serving the Lord seen among recent incoming freshmen.
Issue #62 – Interview with Evangelist Alton Beal
Q: So how many churches would you say that you have either been in in the last 10 years or talked to the pastors of in the last 10 years?
Dr. Beal estimates he has interacted with somewhere between three and five hundred churches.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Issues Podcast

What is The Issues Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on biblically grounded discussions around church leadership, doctrinal issues, and contemporary church life within the Independent Fundamental Baptist spectrum. Episodes often feature two to three pastors or church leaders who unpack topics like church governance, scripture translation debates, church planting, revival, and pastoral integrity, blending practical leadership guidance with theological reflection. A notable strength is the mixture of doctrinal clarity and pastoral practicality, with guests ranging from church planters to ministry leaders, which can be especially valuable for listeners seeking actionable insights for ministry, governance, and faith formation. The format tends to emphasize respectful... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Issues Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Issues Podcast:

1. Enjoying the Journey
2. Stacey Shiflett Podcast

How many episodes of The Issues Podcast are there?

The Issues Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 114 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Issues Podcast?

Recent guests on The Issues Podcast include:

1. Marty Montgomery
2. Josh Levesque
3. Joe Shakour
4. Micah Still
5. Sam Brennan
6. Dr. Alton Beal
7. Dave Knopfsinger
8. Jeff Jones

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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